What is error 99

[gramps]

A few nights agos while shooting a local bball game I got an error 99 (maybe 999) on my 20 D. I shut it off and turned it back on and everything was fine. Anyone know what that error is?

[pcasciola]

I believe that is the catch all for "other error".

[FlyingPete]

I believe that is the catch all for "other error".

As Dr Watson/General Protection Fault/in MS speak (not a BSOD, there is sometimes useful info in those), at least it didn't show you a picture of a little bomb like my Mac used to :lol:

[robertwgross]

When Canon first cooked up the EOS system and then moved to the EOS digital system, they had to think up some error codes to display. They expected a few and documented them as Err 1, Err 2, etc. Then, as an afterthought, they figured that Err 99 would be a good catch-all for anything else. In some cases, Err 99 means that something wrong happened, but then it cleared out before it could be further determined.

When the communications between the camera body and the lens would have some non-Canon message pop in there, the body will display Err 99. There are other diverse reasons for Err 99, but lens-to-body problems are common.

---Bob Gross---

[Windup]

I have seen many postings on this and just wanted to share some troubleshooting that I went through with Canon. I received frequent Err999 messages last month. I would hear the shuttler "slap" and then the err would show up. Nothing would be saved and I would have to power off then on.

I had to send mine in and the shutter mech was replaced.

Here is what Canon said to try:


Thank you for contacting Canon product support. I'm sorry to hear that
your EOS 10D is displaying an "ERR 99" message.

To isolate the cause of the issue, we suggest that you do the
following:

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.
3. Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Insert a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.

Does the "ERR 99" message appear? If it does, then the camera should
be serviced. If it does not, then please proceed to the next set of
steps:

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Insert the CF card.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Format the CF card in the camera.

Does the "ERR 99" message appear? If so, then the CF card is the most
likely source of the issue. Try using a different card.

If the message does not appear, please complete the following steps:

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Clean the lens contacts by gently rubbing them with a pencil eraser
or soft cloth. Be careful that you do not let any debris fall into the
camera body.
3. Reattach your lens.
4. Turn on the camera.

If the "ERR 99" message only appears when one particular lens is
attached, then that lens should be examined by a service technician.

If you see the "ERR 99" with a different Canon lens attached, then the
camera should be serviced.

For factory service, forward your digital camera (remove the CF card
and battery) properly packaged and insured, with a letter describing the
difficulties. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number,
and proof of warranty (if applicable). Send to the Canon Factory
Service Center at the following address:

Canon Factory Service Center
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
Tel.# (732)521-7007

or

Canon Factory Service Center
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618
Tel.# (949) 753-4200

Your equipment will be examined and you will be advised of the
findings.
The length of time for the repair will be dependent upon the nature of
the repair and availability of parts if needed. If the repair entails
something that is not covered in warranty you will be sent a written
estimate to the address that you have provided.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

xxxx
Product Support Representative

[RJSorensen]

In the fog and or dark the other evening I could not get my kit 17-85 to focus on a few deer out my back door. So I switched from one mode to another (buck fever) trying to get one or another to 'lock' onto said critters. Nope, it got too dark and the lens was just too slow and I too excited one might suppose. Anyway I had to take the battery out and then it cleared just fine.

As noted above I suppose it is a lens to body problem.

[Spitfire416]

I have had to get my Shutter replaced. It appeared to me as a Err99.

I'm going on my 3rd week with no Camera yet.

The camera was not even a MONTH old!

[Jon]

I have had to get my Shutter replaced. It appeared to me as a Err99.

I'm going on my 3rd week with no Camera yet.

The camera was not even a MONTH old!Unfortunately, if something's going to fail, it's usually when it's quite new. Once you're past the first 6-8 months, things will glast for years, or until literally worn out.

And the prolonged visit to the service center appears to be a characteristic of Canon Service in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Dunno what QE II's done to tick them off.

[marcosfalcao]

I have had to get my Shutter replaced. It appeared to me as a Err99.

I'm going on my 3rd week with no Camera yet.

The camera was not even a MONTH old!

The Err99 happened to me in my very first day with my 20D. When I arrived home, I cleaned the contacts with a soft cloth and it never happened again. It was in November and since then I took more than 4000 pics.